Posted on 12/13/2005 8:10:30 PM PST by EvilHomer
Iran could be producing nuclear weapons in less than three years, according to a briefing given on Tuesday to the Israeli Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee from Israel's army chief Lieutenant General Dan Halutz.
The meeting addressed the imminent dangers of Iranian nuclear progress. "If the Iranians continue now then they will be able to begin enriching uranium at the start of March," Halutz told the parliamentary forum, according to its chairman, Yuval Steinitz. From there, “It would take two to three years” to develop an atomic bomb.
This new report can only increase the already-heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, as Britain’s Sunday Times on December 11th reported that Israel had been readying for air strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities. Israeli officials denied any plans of hostile military action, maintaining that they will let the United States and the EU lead the way in diplomatically resolving the issue of Iranian nuclear development.
Still, strong words are coming from Jerusalem. “Israel – and not only Israel – cannot accept a nuclear Iran,” Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon warned recently. “We have the ability to deal with this and we’re making all the necessary preparations to be ready for such a situation.”
Israel bombed the main Iraqi atomic reactor in Osiraq in 1981, crippling Saddam Hussein’s nuclear weapons program.
This is an accurate assessment if Iran continues with its current programs.
The notion by some that Iran is only months from a nuclear bomb are flatly wrong.
The Iranian situation is extremely difficult - No real good answers and not a tremendous amount of time to work within - BUT - there is still a certain window of time available (we are not months from having to have a military showdown).
And how long to simply build one from plans already developed in Pakistan and North Korea?
My feeling, from other sources, is that they are a lot closer than 2008.. how about a few months.
I don't see any sensible course but to prepare for a military showdown. If they want to play with the big boys, they're going to have to take on all comers.
Of course and we are doing just this - However, the military option will rightfully be our last option if at all possible.
And it will make things difficult if it comes to that (on many fronts) - However, it might be what needs to be done down the road. Thankfully we have a CIC who is willing to make those tough decisions if need be.
Our intelligence agencies did not "know" that India and Pakistan had the bomb, until these countries very publically tested them.
Why am I not afraid at all? Why do I want to conquer them now?
There was a thread a while back in which ElBaradei was quoted talking about a similar timeline.
after the news on the tanker truck/fake ballots breaking tonight, I'd give them til Sunday at the latest for a joint strike including our cruise missles and the Israeli AF.
Not necessary, no nation has ever failed at exploding a "device" on there first try.
In three years the US developed the the ability to produce nuclear weapons from nothing ...
Between Khan and NK Iran didn't have to develop anything ... just build it
It's pretty clear that Iran probably already has a nuke or two from NK ....
Any other assessment is flatly wrong and dangerous ...
That's why I'm not afraid; I want it done now.
And what exactly is "it?" Conqueriing them as you say? Not realistic. Air strikes? If that's the case why aren't we raiding Pakistan and North Korea right now? We start down the path of subjugating every possible enemy there is in the world and pretty soon we'll have bitten off more than we can chew.
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